A housing pilot in Fresno is starting to show what school leaders and teachers have long argued.
When families have a stable place to live, students are more likely to show up and stay on track.
Here's what to know
After one year, Fresnoland reported that the Crossroads Village Housing Pilot Program cited attendance gains for more than half of the 64 students it served, while discipline issues also fell for many participants.
The Crossroads Village Housing Pilot Program's first-year results, released Oct. 9, covered 20 Fresno Unified families and 64 students. According to a news release cited by Fresnoland, more than half of those students improved their attendance, and two-thirds of students who had office discipline referrals in 2024-2025's fourth quarter had none in 2025-2026's fourth quarter.
Next to Fort Miller Middle School, Crossroads Village serves as the program's base, with 143 permanent housing units. The pilot combines housing with support services intended to make school attendance more consistent and reduce disruptions outside the classroom.
Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her said the first-year data is instructive.
"We know our students can't thrive unless their basic needs are met, and stable housing is one of the foundations of success," Her said in the news release.
Housing costs, including energy, can weigh down a household and threaten that stability.
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More background
Several groups are behind Crossroads Village, including Fresno Unified, the Fresno Teachers Association (FTA), Fresno County behavioral health officials, UPholdings, and the Central Valley Education Foundation.
Beyond the housing itself, Fresnoland said families can access on-site mental health care and case management, plus a food pantry, laundry facilities, and amenities such as a pool. Keeping those resources in one place can reduce the time, stress, and transportation burdens families face when dealing with housing instability.
Each of the two education partners, Fresno Unified and the Fresno Teachers Association, has contributed more than $156,000 to support the project. For the district, that spending is part of a broader effort to address barriers that affect students before the school day begins.
What's being done?
The program keeps housing and student support closely connected. By placing families at Crossroads Village beside Fort Miller Middle School and surrounding them with on-site services, the pilot aims to reduce the instability that can lead to missed school, stress, and behavior problems.
Her said the initiative is already bearing fruit.
"By removing barriers and providing wraparound services and supports, they're better able to be present and fully engaged in learning," she said, per Fresnoland. "These early results are an example of the power of coming together with the common goal of supporting the whole child."
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Where can I learn more?
Elsewhere, communities are trying housing- and school-based programs to help students and families find more stability.
• In metro Atlanta, a tiny home village is giving homeless students stable shelter.
• In Salem, students tackling real-world problems helped curb absenteeism at one middle school.
• At a Maine high school, outdoor detention in place of suspension is reshaping behavior.
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